Hemorrhoids refer to the inflamed veins in the anal and rectal area. These can be internal or external and can be a very annoying condition. An internal hemorrhoid affects the veins in the rectum, while external hemorrhoids affect the veins of the anus. Both can be very painful and can lead to complications if left untreated.

Internal vs. External Hemorrhoids

Determining the type of hemorrhoids leads to the right treatment. An internal hemorrhoid is a collapsed internal anal vein that may protrude to the anus’ surface. If there are no visible sign, this is detected when there are blood spots on the fecal matter. An external hemorrhoid caused by a blood clot is the itchy and painful lump on the anus.

Symptoms

Symptoms for internal hemorrhoids do not include pain but once it protrudes out to the anus, it can be extremely painful. An internal hemorrhoid that has not protruded gives that vague feeling of discomfort and in spite of a bowel movement there a feeling of fullness. The presence of blood on the stool can alert you quickly to internal hemorrhoids.

External hemorrhoids are characterized by painless bleeding and anal itching; however, not all people with external hemorrhoids manifest symptoms.

Causes

The major cause of internal and external hemorrhoids is increased pressure on the veins. Other causes include: lack of fiber in the diet, constant straining when moving, obesity, chronic constipation, pregnancy, prolonged sitting, anal intercourse, severe coughing, genetics, aging, and over zealous cleansing of the anus.

How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoid treatment is focused on relieving symptoms, relieving pressure on the veins, and modifying bowel habits. This will include tested home remedies, natural remedies, and medical treatment as a hemorrhoids cure.

* Medical Treatment

Treatment for external hemorrhoids involves placing ice-packs on the piles, application of petroleum jelly, cortisone hemorrhoid creams, and other over-the-counter remedies. When these won’t go away these are treated with any of these medical applications: infrared photcoagulation, laser coagulation, or hemorrhoidectomy.

Internal hemorrhoids are treated with hemorrhoid shrinking techniques, i.e. rubber band ligation, injection sclero-therapy, laser coagulation, and photocoagulation. Removal through hemorrhoids surgery is recommended when the hemorrhoid has prolapsed.

* Home Remedy

Several tried-and-tested home remedies have proven to be good at hemorrhoids relief. Eating more fiber rich foods, at least 30 grams of fiber a day helps promotes regular bowel movements, exercising, sitz baths, improving personal hygiene, and changing bowel habits.
Wearing cotton underpants and loose pants can lessen the pain when hemorrhoids are swollen.

* Natural Treatment

Herbal formulations to relieve the symptoms and cure hemorrhoids without the expense of surgery are available. The herbs used in these natural remedies have astringent and laxative properties, and are effective anti-inflammatory agents. The following herbs are used for natural treatment of hemorrhoids: psyllium husk, horse chestnut, jewelweed, white Hazel, witch hazel, psyllium husk, and stone root.

Psyllium husk is a laxative and can ease constipation that leads to hemorrhoids. This can be taken as a daily supplement to increase the content of dietary fiber in the diet. For severe bleeding, Plantain tea is used as a compress and for severe pain, St. John’s Wort oil is applied externally.

The natural remedies are available in tea, capsule or tablet, tincture, and lotion.